Exciting Deep Impact (JPN) colt Profondo looked a million dollars in the parade ring and twenty times that at the finish of Saturday’s $1million Group 1 Moet and Chandon Spring Champion (2000m) at Randwick.
Given a positive ride by Robbie Dolan from an outside barrier, the Richard Litt-trained Profondo did some work early to sit outside of the Tivaci filly Never Been Kissed and the two drew clear to fight the race out.
The strikingly handsome Profondo was strong to the line to defeat Never Been Kissed by two and a quarter lengths with the Teofilo gelding Alegron a half-length back in third.
Profondo was making just his third start after winning over 1400m on the Kensington track at Randwick before a troubled second to Head Of State in the Group III Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill.
It was the first win at the highest level for the Irish-born Dolan.
“I don’t know what to say,” an emotional Dolan said.
“First of all, thanks to the owners for keeping me on the horse today because they could have put anyone on him.
“I came here five years ago with a school bag on my back, just trying to ride a few winners.
“He’s a machine. He should have won the other day. I’ll take all the badness for that. I pulled the stick through; I panicked a little bit.
“He’s a tricky horse to ride. It probably played into my hands of why I kept the ride on him today.
“Richard has done amazing job with the horse. To get him to win a Group 1 in his first couple of starts is insane.
“I was absolutely cruising at the 400m, going past a Group 1 winner and nothing was catching me.
“My dad sits up and watches every race I ride in, doesn't matter if it’s out in the country or in the city. He watches it. He’s up there probably having a cup of tea now. I’d say the neighbours will know I rode a winner.”
It was redemption for Litt and owner Ottavio Galletta who were second in the race with Castelvecchio in 2019.
“He’s left me speechless. We’ve had a wonderful two weeks with him,” Litt said.
“We have come here today, he was very relaxed, and gee the world is his oyster. It’s scary. We’re very excited.
"I am extremely proud of him (Dolan). He has done a wonderful job, Robbie. He is a wonderful person, a wonderful jockey, and he’s done a wonderful job there. He rolled outside the leader, and I was about to have a heart attack, but he knew what he was doing. He knew what the horse can do, and he had great faith. We’re just very very proud of him.
“He will go to the paddock now, I think. He will have a nice spell and we are going to have a big attack come the autumn. He’s got some amazing races coming up. He’s very exciting.”
Bred by Arrowfield stud, Profondo was a $1.9 million sale topper at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2020.
“He had arrived in utero after his dam Honesty Prevails made the trip to Japan to visit Deep Impact (JPN).
His dam Honesty Prevails won the Group III Widden Stakes at Rosehill at her career debut for Rick Worthington who had secured her for $750,000 at the 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. (Learn more about his breeding here)
Honesty Prevails is a half-sister to stakes-placed Aerobar (Flying Spur) out of the Hussonet (USA) mare Flavoured.
A sister to the Listed AJC Hall Mark Stakes winner Ego’s Dare, Flavoured is a daughter of the Seattle Slew mare Almond Essence (USA).
Honesty Prevails made it consecutive million-dollar yearlings with her Shalaa (IRE) colt a $1,150,000 purchase by James Harron Bloodstock at the Gold Coast earlier this year.
She has a yearling colt by Dundeel but unfortunately missed to Written Tycoon last spring.
Profondo becomes the 177th stakes-winner for the late, great Deep Impact (JPN) and is his 52nd Group 1 winner.
